This blog series is made possible by a grant from the Lilly Endowment, Inc.
Playdates are an important part of child development. Sometimes, the hardest part about building a community is having the chance to meet them. This activity encourages children and families to engage together through a common interest.
Age Range: 5+
Cost: Free to $25
What You’ll Need:
• Invitations
• Stuffed Animal
• Writing Utensil
• Optional: Plush log Booklet
Use this book to record the names of the stuffed animals who joined the meet and greet
Directions
1. Choose a location
Options for locations are heavily dependent on who makes up your community. If you live in a suburban neighborhood or large apartment complex, you can organize to meet at a central location. Another possibility is meeting at a library or community center. Make sure you have permission at each location ahead of time, especially to make sure they have accommodations available for the size of your group.
2. Make invitations
Create an invitation for people in your community. Schedule a day for the Meet & Greet. This can be email, text, or flyers. Include information for families to bring their favorite plush to introduce at the event.
3. Host your Meet & Greet
Now that everyone is together with their plush toys, it is time for families to meet and greet each other. If you have a small group, you can go around in a circle and introduce their plush toys. If you have a large group, you can break out into smaller groups or timed one-on-one pairs.
When families are introducing their plush toys, they should give the plush toys name (if they have one), age (when they got the toy or imaginary age), fun facts, and why this plush toy is their favorite. They can encourage the child to introduce the plush themselves or introduce the plush together.
At the end of all of the introductions, we should have time to play together. This activity can be the introduction to a playdate or group function.
Why it Matters: Group activities give the opportunity to connect with your community or neighborhood. By setting up or involving your family in social gatherings, you give yourself the opportunity to connect with others and form meaningful relationships. The benefit children receive from playing with plush toys includes improving their social skills and language skills.
Community Moment: After the event, take some time to reflect on it. Invite your child to share what stood out to them. Here’s a few example questions:
• “Which friends did you meet?”
• “Did any words make you smile or feel surprised?”
• “How did it feel to share with others?”
